Mrs Rousby

A carte-de-visite portrait of the actress Clara Rousby (1848-1879), seen here dressed as either the young Virgin Queen or her unfortunate Scottish cousin.

'The beautiful Mrs Rousby' played Princess Elizabeth in Tom Taylor's 'historical play' in five acts 'Twixt Axe and Crown, which was presented at the Queen's Theatre in 1870. She played Mary, Queen of Scots in the five-act drama Marie Stuart; or, the Catholic Queen and the Protestant Reformer by W.G. Wells, which opened to mixed reviews on Monday 23 February 1874 at the Princess's Theatre. While some critics praised the scenery, the costumes and the text of the play, most found fault with its two central performances.

Photographed by William and Daniel Downey of London and Newcastle.